86 pickup sitting outside for 30+ years. Where to start?

I appreciate all the advice. I’ll certainly reference this thread once I start tearing it apart. I have a lot of plans in my head, but we’ll see if my wallet cooperates

 

This thread has me thinking, why has truck been sitting so long, there has to be a story here. From the pictures somebody probably younger owned this truck and tried to make it cool, the engine compartment shows what looks to be quite a bit of aftermarket wiring, probably an alarm and such, it’s just interesting. If you ever feel like sharing the story, I’d sure like to hear it!

 

Looks like its in good shape for a 35 year old vehicle.

 

If it won't turn over, I volunteer to act as the "scrap yard"

 

Time capsule street machine of the 80’s! Back in 1986 Phoenix was crawling with stuff like that.

 

Id love to share a little bit about it. This was actually sitting at my father in laws place ever since I’ve been around (almost 10 years now) and he always said he wanted to fix it. Fast forward 10 years and I call him up and ask him how much he would sell it for. He gives me a price then asks if it’s for me. I told him it was and he said he wasn’t going sell it to me, he would just give it to me as a gift. He said he bought it from a dealer around 87/88 with 10k miles on it when he was younger and absolutely loved it. He ended up getting too busy with life and family and just let it sit since then. He was telling me about his adventures through the Mt. Hood snow in the 80’s which gets me excited to get it running so I can remind him of what it looked like many years ago.

 

Dude... I think it looks rad just the way it is.

Get on a mission and get it running, take the FIL for a ride and you are going to be made for the rest of your life (as far as the FIL is concerned).

Keep the crazy retro look and buy yourself some 80/90's style neon t-shirts to cruise around in!!

 

On a side note, were these doors a common mod in the 80’s?...it has no door handle. The way it opens is by using a key near the front fender. You can partially see the key hole in the picture I posted.

 

That is way cool, literally every panel is different from oem, are they fiberglass? It must have been some sort of kit, time for some research, could be a golden egg right there...

 

I can’t wait to see what you do, I really hope you keep it the way it looks, a true time capsule!

 

Sitting outside so long and missing back window mandates an intensive inspection for rust. Everywhere. And rodent damage.......

Before dropping a dime on anything.

Then call the Garage Squad and see if Bruno will hook you up. They like 'sentimental' stories.....

 

I might have the Factory Service Manual I need to look I know for sure I have the Electrical Wiring Diagrams.

Any Questions Feel Free to Ask.

To bad I am on the Other side of the country lots of parts.

 

Awesome. I appreciate it. I'll be able to start tearing the truck apart here in about a month or so. I'm sure i'll have a bunch of questions for everyone.

 

Finally getting a chance to get her started this upcoming week. It looks like there is still coolant in the radiator and I was able to turn the fan by hand. It’s looking promising so far. I’m going to drain and replace fluids before trying to turn the engine over so we’ll see where we stand next week.

 

Good luck, hope things go good!

 

I’ve been a little busier than anticipated and have been away from the truck for a while. Hoping to get some work done to it over the summer and will probably start ordering parts soon. I’d like to get it to run and maybe even use it as my DD. Motor isn’t sieved so that’s good news.
Here’s what the plan is for now:
-I know it needs a new fuel tank so that will probably be one of my first items on my order list.
-I’m going to flush all of the fluids (both difs/transmissions/engine/coolant..missing anything?)
-Spark plugs
-Possibly looking to convert to EFI in the future as well. Any recommendations on brands?
-Rear gears have been replaced so I need to find out what ratio they are and match the front or find a different set.

Not sure how extensive the rust is to the bed but I might try to repair it myself depending on how bad it is.

Any recommendations from anyone that’s torn these trucks apart or owns one?

 

EGR (engine gas recirculation) valves on the back of the head are notorious for full-on clogging up. That, and the paper thin head gasket can let coolant into the cylinder. Check for white smoke in the exhaust (coolant). The radiators go bad causing it to overheat, and possibly warping the head (another reason for head gasket leak). The front differential clamshell gears can get stripped if the front tires get bound up. The idler arm can bend easy, so get an idler arm gusset. GL!

 

Awesome, thanks! Ill be sure to inspect all the items you mentioned. Sounds like you have prior experience with these trucks? Any websites you recommend where I'll be able to find most parts?
Thanks again

 

Here is a website with the idler arm truss:
https://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/steering_components.php

 

Change engine oil and coolant. Check trans fluid. If OK, try to start engine. Starter fluid helpful. If it runs, no knocking or smoking, check diff fluid. If OK, check brakes, at least ebrake and see if it moves. Then decide how much time and money to invest.